Removable shoe heel and lift



;Feb. 27,1934. B. JASsEN RZEI'OVABLE SHOB HEEL AND LIFT Filed nay 29,1933 4Patented Feb. 27,;.1934

BEMOVABLE SHOE HEEL AND LIFT Bern Jassen, Brooklyn, Y,

Application May.29, 1933. Serial No. 673,412

l1': claims. c (o1. 36-42) in U.- s'. Letters Patent No. 1,883,765,dated November 22, 1932, there is shown a detachable heel llftfor shoesand the present invention,

among other things, embodies improvements over.

t'- the article shown in said patent.

One object of the present invention is to provide an article of footwearhaving va detachablev heelwhich may be readily removed by the wearer andbe replaced with another heel, without havl') ing to resort to theservices of a shoe maker or cobbler. In some instances, especially withthe heels commonly worn by women, the heel becomes detached from theshoe, or the `heel body, usually made of wood, leather, or somecomposition mal terial, becomes broken. When either of these occurs withthe common type of footwear it is necessary to take the shoe to a shoemaker or cobbler to have the heel repaired or replaced. Where Athelatter is necessary the cobbler is not likely to have in stock a heel oftherlght shape, finish and color to replace the broken one; and it isnecessary to send the shoe back to the manufacturer or to discard thepair of shoes completely.

Where shoes are supplied with the present inand replace it with a newone with no more tools than a screw driver or the\end of a shoe horn. Ifdesired, the user may be supplied with more than one pair of heels forone pair of shoes, which heels may be of different colors to obtaindifferent color combinations and the user may attach either set of heelsto the shoes. O'r,'mu1tiple sets of heels of relatively dilferent shapesor heights may be supplied for the same pair of shoes so that 'f theuser may obtain different combinations of heels and footwear. Or, adealer may alter the heels of any pair of shoesto obtain diiferent colorcombinations to suit the tastes of customers without having to carry instock a multitude of individual styles.

The present invention provides means for readily and easily detachingthe heel from the shoe to obtain any of the results referred to, and anew or different heel maybereadily applied to replace the one removed.The present device for-secur. ing the heel to the shoe is invisible whenthe heel is applied so that it does not detract fromthe appearance ofthe shoe. Y

In the fullest embodiment of my invention the means for detachablysecuring the heel to the shoe is combined with the means for detachablysecuring the lift to the heel so that some of the parts are common toboth devices.

Th other branch of my invention relates to vention the user mayreadilydetach a broken heel a simplev means for detachably securing the lift tothe heel. Lifts wear down either across the whole bottom surface or ato'nepside or the back, very quickly and if not renewed the shoe may bethrown out of shape. In some cases a lift may wear only a week or two,especially on womens shoes where the wearing area is very small; 1 andit is necessary for the wearer to have a cobbler put on new lifts atthese frequent intervals. This is both inconvenient and expensive.

With the present invention the user, without any tools whatever, may, ina matter of seconds, remove the worn lifts and replace them with newones, and at a cost of only a few centsa pair because the lifts alonemay be sold at a rprice of a few cents a pair. The wearer may iind upon7'0 dressing for some occasion and lat a time when no cobbler isavailable, that the lifts are Worn on the shoes she most desires towear. If they are equipped with the present invention it is only amatter of seconds to change the lifts.

One object of my presentinvention so far Vas it relates to the liftdevice is, to provide a lateral extension on the lower end of the sleevewhich is forced into the bore in the heel body, and to provide means forengaging this lateral extension to prevent the sleeve from turning. Thisis especially important where the detachable heel feature-is employedwith the detachable lift feature, because the sleeve is prevented fromturning or shifting when the 'heel securing nut is being 85 tightened.It also prevents the sleeve turning when the lift holding member isturned in relation to the heel. p The means `for preventing the sleevefrom turning in the heel preferablyconsista ofdpins driven into the heeland extendingl through the sleeve extension referred to, these pins alsoprojecting into apertures in the lift to prevent the latter from turningor shifting while in operative position.`

, Another object is to arrange the means for preventing the plungerwhich carries the lift from turning when in operative position. at apoint near thev bottom of the plunger and therefore near the lift.Another object is to provide `more emcient andy l simple means to holdthe lift retaining memberI 1 tion,

2, to accommodate the bolt.

turned has no tendency to turn the sleeve in the heel bore.

Another object is to provide a lift which may be made of leather andhaving 'a plate attached thereto to cooperate in forming the slot andpocket for receiving the lift holding plate. This makes it unnecessaryto form the pocket and slot vantages will be set forth in the followingdetailed description of the invention.

In the drawing forming part of this applica- -Figure lis a plan view ofthe rear or heel portion of awomans shoe or oxford, with the innerlining partly lifted to show the nut which is part of the heel securingmeans, e

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the lin 2-2 of Figure1,

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is an elevational view, the major portion of which is brokenaway and showing the heel and lift attaching parts on an enlargedscale..

Figure v5 is an assembly view of the device,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the sleeve,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a stamped form of plunger,

Figure 8 is an inverted view of a modified form of lift,

Figure 9 is a sectional v'iew taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 8, and

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the liftshown in Figure 8.

I 'will rst describe the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5.I have shown only the rear portion of heel 1, of a shoe or oxford suchas are worn by women, as the remainder of the article may conform topresent practice.' The inner 'lining 2 has been liftedup topermitaccessY to the securing nut. The heel 3 which' is fitted to the heelseat 4, may be of any shape so far as. the present invention isconcerned and In have shown it as the high or French type. The body ofthe'heel may be made of wood, leather or any ofthe composition-materials employed for this purpose and it may be covered with leather,celluloid or any of the finishing materials commonly used for suchpurpose. In other words, the heel may-beamade according to presentpractice 'except that it is provided with a bore 5, -which, .if all the`features of my invention are'used. will extend from the bottom end ofthe heel right through to the top. Preferably, the upper portion'6 ofthe bore is widened or enlarged and it is inclined at an angle to thelower portion as shown in Figure There is a sleeve 7 which has a drivenfit in the `lower portio of thebore 5 ofthe heel; and at its bottom endthe sleevehas lateral wings or flanges 8 which 4rest against the bottomend of the heel to determine thepositlon of the sleeve in the heel andfor anotler purpose as will appear.

The wings or anges 8 each have an aperture thlugh which pins 10, ldriveninto the bodyr additional function; as will appear.

ofthe heel extend so that these pins prevent the sleeve from turning inthe bore 5; They serve The sleeve 7 is rolled or crimpedA near thelbottom edge as-shown at 11 to form an inner projection to provide anabutment for one end ,of the coiled spring 12. This spring surrounds theplunger 13 which extends into the bore of the sleeve. The other end ofthe spring abuts against the collar 14 on the upper end of the plunger,the collar be-y ing held on the plunger by turning over or swaging theend of the plunger as shown at l5. An indentation 16 may be provided inthe end of the plunger to facilitate this swaging operation. The springhas a tendency to force the plunger upwardly within the sleeve.

The heel lift shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5 is shown as having astraight or slightly curved front edge 17 to conform with the breast ofthe heel; and it has rounded side and rear edges 18 to conform with thecontour of the lower end of the heel. The lift is of uniform thickness.It is provided with a pocket 19 extending horizontally inwardly from thefront edge 17 and there is a slot 20 extending .from the front edge 17which slot extends from the pocket 19 to the top of thelift. There arerecesses 21 formed in the top side of the lift, shown at opposite sidesof the slot 20 to receive the lower ends of the pins 9a.

The lower end of the plunger is providedwith a shoulder 22,preferably/two of them disposed at opposite sides of the plunger, whichare adapted to move into the slots 23 in the ends of the sleeve 7 whenregistered therewith, but which are adapted to rest with their top edgesagainst the end f the heel to hold the plunger partially withdrawn fromthe sleeve, as. will be described hereinafter. i

There is another shoulder 24 on the plunger, the purpose of which is toclose the front end of the slot 20 of the lift when in operativeposition, to exclude dirt from the inner parts.

Qn the extreme lower'end of the plunger there is a laterally extendingplate 25 which is adapted to be received in and lpreferably nt thepocket 19; and this plate is shown as having the portion 26 which firstenters-the pocketr 19 rounded. This plate has cut outs or recesses 27 topermit the pins 10 to pass therethrough and enter the recesses 21 of thelift. Where thef detachable heel feature is employed, the sleeve isextended above the end of theplunger to receive therein the ball 28lwhich lis formed on the lower end of the bolt 29. The

end of` the sleeve is preferably crimped or spun inwardly as shown at 80to hold the ball from moving'Y out but permitting it to turn. There is apin 31 driven through a cross aperture in the ball and the endsof thepin pass through the elongated slots 32 in the sleeve. This pin may rockinorie direction due to the play in the slots 32 while the ball may rockwiththe pin at right anglestothe first movement, thereby permitting auniversal movement of the ball.

y .There is an aperture 33 hformed through the heel seat of the shoe, ofsuiiicient diameter to receive therethrough the cylindrical portion 34of a nut. This nut has a thin top 35 adapted to rest againstthe top wallof the heel seat under the inner lining' 2;. and the cylindrical portionextends through the aperture 33 in the heel, seat. It has an internalthread-'36 for engagement with the vexternal thread 37 ofthe bolt 29whereby the nut over above the collar as shown at 15. The sleeve, springand plungerare now assembled; The ball 28 'may be placed in the uppervend of the sleeve and then the end of the sleeve is spun in as at 30 toconine the ball. Either before or after this is done the pin 31 isdriven into the cross aperture of the ball with the ends of the pinextending into or through the apertures 32 of the sleeve.

The device is now ready to be assembled in the shde. The sleeve '7driven into the bore 5 of the heel until the wingsy 8 rest against theendof. the heel. The top of the heel is no'w placed against the heelseat 4 of the shoe.' The cylindrical portion 34 of the nut is passedthrough the aperture 33 of the heel seat and it is'turned until thethreads' 36, 37 engage and the nut is further turned until the boltispulled upwardly and the nut drawn down tightly against the in' side ofthe shoe, whereupon the heel will be tightly clamped in position on theshoe. There are pins or nails 38 in the top of the heel which piercelthe heel seat as the heel is drawn linto final position and these. serveto prevent the heel from turning about the bolt. y

The top of the nut maybe provided with the cross slot 39 to be engagedby, a screw driver -or the edgeof a shoe horn, for the purpose ofturning the nut in the manner described.

The plate 25 grasped, by the hand and yiS, pulled away from the end ofthe heel against the resistance of the spring I12 acting on the plunger;and when the shoulders 22 have been moved out of the slots 23 of thesleeve, the plate 25 and plunger 13 may be turned around eitherclockwise or counterclockwise; and this will bring the top edges of theprojections 22 at s uch positions that they may rest against theend 0IAthe heel. If the plate .25 is n ow released, :the plate and the plungerwill be held in their downwardly projected position shown in 'dottedlines inFigure' 4. The plate 25 is now spaced fromthe end of the heel topermit the lift to be attached. The

lift is approached tothe plate 25 as shown. in iS Figure 5 and it.ispushed onto the plate so `that the latter enters the pocket 19 and theportion enters the slot 20 until the end ofthe plate sto'ps against theend of the pocket 19.

The lift and the plate 25 (and of course the plunger) arenow turneduntil the portion registers with the slots 23 in the'lower end of thesleeve. Immediately, the plunger is drawn upjby the spring 12 until thelift is pressed against the end of the heel by the plate 25. As thisaction takes place, the pins 9a pass through or into the cut outs 27 ofthe plate 25 and enter the apertures 21 of the lift. These pins not onlyprevent the sleeve fromturning or shifting in the heel but they alsolprevent the lift from turning'or shifting on the heel. The shoe is nowready for wearing. The projection 24 serves to close,- the. end of theslot 20and prevent the entry of dirt.

Ifit is desired to replace the lift the aboveoperations are reversed.The lift is .pulled down from the heel and-this carries the plate 25downwardly. l When the shoulderl 22 is ush with orbelow the end of theheel the lift, the plate y25 and the plunger are turned until theshoulder 22 lies and rests against the end of the sleeve, whereupon vthelift may' be released `and the plate 25 will be held down. 'Die oldlift'may be slid ol! the plate 25 and a new lift placed on it and thenntheelift isV turned as before to bring the member again into registerwith the" `slots 23. In Figures Band 7 l have shown the detachableHerein the sleeve [I is the samef as before except' that it. need not beas long. The plunger consists- -of a. continuous strip of-metal bentyback upon itself so that the superimposed portions form the plunger.The two half'plates 40 perform the same function as the plate 25 in theiirst-forrn of the invention. The shoulders 4l and 42 perform the samefunctions as the shoulders 22 and 24 oi' the first form.- Thereis acollar 43 placed on the upper end ofthe plunger for the spring 12 torest against and thismay be held in place? by a. pin 44 passing throughthe loop 46' and having ,lits ends 47 bent upto prevent the pin from'sliding' out of place. The plunger and the plate 40 operate the same asinthe first form of the invention.

In Figures 8 to 10 I have shown a modined form of lift. Where the latteris made of leather the pocket 19 and the slot 20 can not be casttherein. Here I attach a plate 48 to the top of the lift, preferably byforming the three lugs 49 on the edge of this plate, which lugsareforcedthrough the lift material and clenchedas shown.

The space 50 .between the plate and the lift forms controlled bythe'latter.' The heel attaching de- I vice is useful regardless ofwhether 'the heel is ever to be removed and replaced, because vitprovides a stronger and more dependable means for securing the heel tothe shoe. The bolt shown herein is` stronger and more reliable than themeans heretofore used for attaching heels to foot wear. The heel istherefore less likely to be'broken or to come olf the shoe.

Having described my invention, what I claim I '1. A uit attachment foran article/: footwear including a heel having a bore, asleeve extendingupwardly in said bore. said sleeve having a slot in its lower end, aplungermovable in said sleeve` I and having a lift carrying plateadjacent the lower end ofthe heel, a spring in said sleeve for urgingsaid plunger and plate upwardly to clamp a lift carriedl'by said plateagainst the bottom ofthe heel, and means carried by said. plunger,adapted to be registered with saidslot in the sleeve to allow the liftlcarriedby said plate to be pressed-against the bottom ofthe'heel."

2. A lift attachment tor an article of' footwear including a heel havinga bore, a sleeve extending upwardly in said bore, said sleeve having aslot ,in its lower end, a plunger movable in said sleeve and having allftcarrying plate adjacent the lower end of the heel, a spring in saidsleeve lfor urging said plunger and plate upwardly to clamp ailiftcarried'by said plate against ythe bottom of vthe heel, and meanscarried by said plunger,

adapted to be registered with said slot in the E 4 75 litt featurewithout the removable heel feature. ing `upwardly in said bore, saidsleeve having a m slot in its lower end, a plunger movable in saidsleeve and having a lift carrying plate adjacent thelower end of theheel, a spring in said'sleeve for urging said plunger and plate upwardlyto clamp a lift carried by said plate against the bottom of the, heel,and means carried by said plunger, adapted to be registered with saidslot in the sleeve to allow the lift carried by said plate to bepressediagainst the bottom of the heel, said plate being adapted to beturned to allow said means to extend across said slot and serve as anabutment to temporarily hold said plateseparated from the bottom end ofthe heel to receive a lift thereon, said abutment means being soconstructed and arranged that when it extends into said slot in thesleeve it will prevent the lift plate from turning in relation to theheel.

4. `A lift attachment for an article of footwear, including a heelhaving a bore, a sleeve extending upwardly in said bore and having aslot in its lower end, a plunger movable in said sleeve, a lift carryingplate on said plunger belowy the heel, an abutment member carried bysaid plunger, adapted to enter said slot in the sleeve when registeredtherewith, and adapted when positioned across said slot to temporarilyhold the plunger so that said plate is spaced from the bottom of theheel to permit a lift to be placed on or removed from said plate.

5. A lift attachment for an article of footwear,

including a heel having a bore, a sleeve extendits lower end, saidsleeve having a lateral extensionA at its lower end resting' against thebot\ y' tom of the heel, means extending through said lateral extensionand entering the heel Vto prevent the sleeve `from turning in said bore,a plunger movable in said sleeve, spring means for drawing said plungerupwardly, a plate carried .K -by said plunger for receiving a liftthereon and an abutment member carried v by 'said plunger adapted whenregistered with` the slot in said sleeve to allow the plunger to move toa higher position and when placeddcrosswise of said `slot to hold saidplunger in a lower position.

7. A lift attachment for an article of footwear, including a heel havinga bore, a sleeve extending upwardly in said bore, and having a lateralextension at its lower end resting against the lower endfof the heel, aplunger. movable in said sleeve, spring means for drawing said plungerupwardly, a plate carried by said plunger for re-` ceiving a liftand'for pressing it against thebottom of the heel, andI means extending.into the heel and passing through' said lateral extension and adapted toprojectrinto a lift Apressed by said plate against the heel.

8. A lift attachment for an article. of footwear, including aheel havinga bore, a sleeve extending upwardly in said bore and having a lateralextension. at its lower end resting against the lower end of the heel, aplunger movable in said sleeve, spring means for drawing said plungerattaching plate is carried. I

i said sleeve.

upwardlyfa plate carried by said plunger for receiving a lift and forpressing it against the bottom of the heel, and pins extending into theheel and passing-through said lateralextension and said plate and into aliftpressed by said plate against the heel.

9. A lift attachment for an article of footwear; including a heel havinga bore, a sleeve extending upwardly in said bore, said sleeve beingcrimped inwardly to form an abutment near its lower end, a plunger, aspring in said sleeve surrounding said plunger and resting at one endagainst said abutment, means on said plunger. for the upper end of thespring to engage so that the spring pulls the plunger upwardly, and alift retaining plate on the lower end of the plunger forpressing a liftagainst the lower end of the heel under the action of said spring.

10. A lift attachment for an article of footwear, including aheel'having a bore, a sleeve extending-`upwardly in said bore, saidsleeve having an abutment near its lower end, aplunger in said sleeve, aspring in said sleeve surrolmding said plunger with one end restingagainst said abutment, a collar on the upper portion o! the plunger, toform an abutment for the upper end of the spring, said plunger beingupset to hold said collar, `and a lift retaining plate on the lower endof saidl plunger, for pressing a lift against the lower end of saidheel. 1'1. As a new article of manufacture a heel lit including a liftbody, a plate having lugs piercing said body to hold the plate thereonto form a pocket between said plate and said body to'receive anattaching plate, said first plate having a slot therein to recelve amember by which s aid l2. As a new article of manufacture a heel liftincluding a lift body, a plate having lugs piercing said body to holdthe plate thereon to form a pocket between `said plate and said body tore-jx ceive an attaching plate, said ilrst plate having a slot thereintov receive a member by yvhichsaid attaching plate is carried, saidrstplate also having apertures on opposite sides of said slot to receivepins therein. f

13. An article of footwear having a heel seat,

having an aperture therethrough, a heel having a top to ilt said seat,said heel having a bore therein, a sleeve securedin said boref'aboltpivotally attached to said sleeve,- and a nut arranged 'above saidheel seat and adaptedto be secured to said bolt throughl saidL aperturewhereby when said bolt and nut are screwed one upon the other said heelwill be drawn tightly 'against said heel seat said` nut being dispbsedat an angle to 14. article of\ footwear having a heel seat having anaperture therethrough, a heel having a top to t said seat, said heelhaving a bore therein, a bolt-secured in said bore, a nut havingv vacylindrical portion extending through the aperture in said seat and aIhead-resting against theA top of .the heel -seat within the article offootwear said nut being adapted to berevolved when in posit'on on saidseat, said' cylindricall portion of the nut having a threaded engagementwith said-bolt, whereby when said bolt and nut are screwed one upon theother -by the revolving of the nut said heel will be drawn tightlyagainst said heel seat. i,

15'. An article of footwear having afheel seat having an aperturetherethrough, a lheel`\having a top to lit said seat, said heel -havinga ibore,

.- anchoring means in said bore, a bolt pivotally connected with saidanchoring means and a nut above said heel seat and adapted to be securedto said bolt through said aperture whereby when .said heel will be drawntightly against connected with the upper portion of the sleeve,

a nut in the article ot footwear and having a threaded connection withsaid bolt through the heel seat, a plunger in said sleeve, spring meansfor drawing the plunger upwardly in the sleeve, and a plate carried bysaid plunger and adapted to receive a lift thereon and to press the sameagainst the bottom' of the heel.

17. An article of footwear having a heel seat having an aperturetherethrough, a heel having a top to nt said seat, said heel having abore, anchoring means in said bore, a bolt connected with said anchoringmeans by a universal joint and a nut above said heel seat and adapted tobe secured to said lbolt through said aperture where.,- by when saidbolt and nut are screwed one upon the other said heel will be drawntightly against said heel seat.

BERN JASSEN.

icc

